Nawaz, Putin agree to expedite process for North-South gas pipeline agreement

Nawaz expresses desire for multi-dimensional ties with Russia, while Putin wants to pursue economic ties

UFA: In the first ever bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Russian President Vladmir Putin, the two discussed ties, with both sides expressing the desire to enhance bilateral ties.

On the sidelines of the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Ufa, Nawaz said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Russia.

Putin congratulated Pakistan on its formal ascension to the SCO on which the premier thanked Russia for its support to Pakistan’s entry.

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Nawaz told Putin that Pakistan is keen to enhance its relations with the Russian Federation and wants a multi-dimensional relationship with Russia in the fields of trade, defence, energy, infrastructure, culture and other spheres.

Both leaders reviewed the progress in a number of projects under consideration especially in the energy sector. They expressed their satisfaction on the progress being made in finalising the North-South gas pipeline agreement and decided to expedite the process

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (L) in talks with Russian President Vladmir Putin in Ufa. PHOTO: PID

Putin stated that Russia too attaches importance to its relations with Pakistan and would like to further enhance them, particularly in the economic domain.

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Both delegations have expressed the confidence that Sharif-Putin meeting would help in raising the level of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.